By Imported-vehicle insurance in 60 seconds
The two-phase approach
- Phase 1 : Temporary while waiting for the carte grise (30-90 days, foreign plates accepted).
- Phase 2 : Annual once French plates are issued.
- Continuous cover required : never let it lapse.
Documents needed
- Foreign registration document (V5C, etc.) ;
- Foreign driving licence ;
- Proof of address in France + RIB.
The carte grise wait : why temporary insurance is needed
When you import a vehicle into France, you have 1 month from the date of entry to apply for the French carte grise (registration document). The application is filed online via ANTS with these documents :
- Quitus fiscal from the SIE (Service des impôts des entreprises) : proof that VAT and customs duties are paid (free for EU vehicles, more complex for non-EU) ;
- Certificat de conformité européen (CoC) : proof the vehicle meets EU emissions and safety standards ;
- Foreign registration document (V5C in UK, equivalent elsewhere) ;
- French technical inspection (contrôle technique) less than 6 months old, French standard ;
- Proof of identity and French address ;
- Application form Cerfa 13750*05.
Processing time at ANTS : 4 to 12 weeks, sometimes longer for non-EU vehicles or unusual makes. During this period, the vehicle still has its foreign plates : but it must be insured by a French contract from the moment it enters France.
Phase 1 : temporary insurance during the wait
A temporary contract covers the gap. Specifics for imported vehicles :
Insurers accepting foreign plates
- Direct Assurance (AXA group) : temporary contracts 1 to 90 days, foreign plates accepted, English phone line ;
- Allianz Mobiliz : pay-per-use and temporary, foreign-plate friendly ;
- EuroAssurance : specialist broker, accepts unusual cases including non-EU imports ;
- Cover Spot, Wakam : niche temporary specialists with online subscription ;
- Selectra advisor (English service) : can subscribe on your behalf with a partner specialist.
Choose the right cover tier
During the temporary phase :
- Third-party (RC) minimum : legally required ;
- Comprehensive (tous risques) recommended for newer or higher-value vehicles. Imported cars are statistically more vulnerable to theft (foreign plates attract attention) and accidents (unfamiliar driving).
Cost
Roughly :
- 30 days third-party : €100-€200 ;
- 30 days comprehensive : €200-€400 ;
- 90 days comprehensive : €450-€750.
Step by step : import + insurance timeline
Before crossing the border
Subscribe a temporary French insurance contract for 30-90 days. Use Direct Assurance, Allianz Mobiliz, or our advisor service. Provide foreign registration, foreign licence, future French address, IBAN.
Drive home with the temporary attestation
Print the attestation and the carte verte. Keep them in the car. Police accept these even with foreign plates as long as the contract is valid.
Apply for the carte grise within 1 month
Go to ANTS (online) with the documents listed above. Submit the application. You receive a "récépissé de demande" (application receipt) : keep it in the car.
Get the contrôle technique done
If your foreign technical inspection isn't recognised in France (most aren't), book a French contrôle technique with a French centre. Cost €70-€90. Mandatory for the carte grise.
Track the carte grise issuance
Via ANTS dashboard. Average wait : 4-12 weeks. If it's taking longer, subscribe a 60-day temporary extension before the first one expires.
Receive French plates
The carte grise arrives by post with a temporary certificat d'immatriculation. The new French plate number is on it. You then get physical plates made (any garage, €30-€60).
Switch to annual insurance
Contact your temporary insurer (or another) to either : (a) extend with the new plate number, (b) cancel and switch to an annual contract. Annual contracts are cheaper per day than temporary, so once the carte grise arrives, switch quickly.
Get the new carte verte
The new annual insurer issues a fresh carte verte (green card) with the French plate number. Keep one in the vehicle.
Live ranking : 6 insurers accepting imported vehicles
Insurers known to underwrite imported vehicles during the carte grise wait. Sorted by partner status then by Selectra score.
| Insurer | Type | Score | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Neo-broker |  |
Free quote → |
 |
Neo-broker |  |
Free quote → |
 |
Neo-broker | |
Free quote → |
 |
Online |  |
Free quote → |
 |
Online |  |
Free quote → |
 |
Traditional | |
Free quote → |
Live data from Selectra Insurance API · Updated 4 May 2026.
Edge cases
Non-EU vehicles (US, Canada, UK post-Brexit, Australia)
More complex importation : need quitus fiscal (with VAT and customs duties paid), often a French CoC (certificat de conformité) ordered from the manufacturer (€100-€300), sometimes a CRIT'air sticker compatibility check. Carte grise issuance can take 3-6 months. Plan for a longer temporary insurance period.
Right-hand-drive (RHD) vehicles
RHD vehicles can be registered in France but face a slight insurance surcharge (5-15%) due to higher accident risk on right-driving roads. Most insurers accept them. RHD lights must be adjusted (yellow tint or beam-deflector) to comply with French standards.
Classic cars (over 30 years old)
Eligible for the "carte grise de collection" : simplified registration, technical inspection every 5 years instead of every 2. Specialist insurers (FFVE, Lamy Couverture, MAS Assurances) offer dedicated cover.
Commercial / VAT-eligible vehicles
Different importation procedure for VAT recovery. Consult an accountant. Standard car insurers accept commercial vehicles ; specialist commercial brokers (Hiscox, AXA Pro) are an alternative.
Total cost summary
For a typical EU-imported vehicle, all-in budget for the importation + insurance phase :
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Quitus fiscal (EU vehicle) | €0 (free) |
| CoC if not provided by manufacturer | €0 - €300 |
| French contrôle technique | €70 - €90 |
| Carte grise (regional tax) | €100 - €700 |
| French plates (physical) | €30 - €60 |
| Temporary insurance (60 days) | €200 - €450 |
| Annual insurance year 1 (after carte grise) | €500 - €1,200 |
| Total first year, all-in | €900 - €2,800 |
Indicative ranges. Non-EU imports add €500-€2,000 in customs duties + VAT.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive on foreign plates in France ?
For up to 1 month after entering France with the intention to stay (you must apply for the carte grise within that month). With proof of pending application (ANTS récépissé), driving on foreign plates remains legal for the duration of the carte grise issuance.
How long does the carte grise take ?
EU vehicles : 4-8 weeks typical. Non-EU vehicles (UK post-Brexit, US, Canada) : 3-6 months. Plan temporary insurance accordingly, with extensions if needed.
Can I subscribe with my foreign driving licence ?
Yes for the temporary phase. After 12 months of French residency, you must exchange or pass the French test ; otherwise the insurance becomes void.
Can I bring my no-claims bonus ?
For the temporary phase : usually no : temporary contracts use a flat pricing. For the annual phase post-carte grise : possibly partial recognition with an attestation d'antécédents from your foreign insurer. Full guide on transferring no-claims.
How much does temporary insurance cost ?
€200-€450 for 60 days comprehensive cover on a typical Clio-equivalent. Add 30-50% for new arrivals without French CRM.
My temp insurance is expiring before the carte grise : what do I do ?
Subscribe a fresh temporary contract before the current one expires. Most insurers don't allow extending mid-contract, but you can subscribe consecutively. Don't let cover lapse for even a day.